Saturday, January 24, 2015

A Family Drama ~ The Elder Son

The
older son is at his place in the fields, perhaps not so much to work
as to manage the laborers. When he returns to the house, this feast
has reached its height in gaiety. As he walks up the steps, he hears
the music, the songs, and so questions one of the workers why was he
not notified of this feast? The servant banters: It is your brother,
sir and your father, adding with a bit of spite in his tone that the
father is happy, and again but not quite truthfully, your father has
found him in good condition! Actually, the poor boy was in a wretched
state.

The elder son has no knowledge of the dire circumstances that
his young brother presented himself earlier, and the misery he had
endured. More importantly, he does not realize it was repentance
that brought him back to his father, although he may suspect this
young vagabond has come back demanding more money.

We must view this
situation in the elder son's eyes if we are to completely understand
and sympathize with him and the attitude he has toward his brother
and his father.

Let
us look at their father. He is a man of greatness, a striking figure
of a generous and magnanimous human being, from which springs the
fury of the elder son who is not kind on this day and certainly is
harsh toward his young brother.

Let
us now look at the eldest son, loyal to the homestead, having
faithfully remained with his father, but is wanting in tenderness.
He expresses openly to his father that despite being a dutiful son,
it seemed that he was not appreciated nor compensated for his
loyalty, nor was he given a taste of joy like his younger brother.

The
father, now seeing how very hurt his older son is by the gesture of
this celebration, explains with much diplomacy that their sharing
of everything is worth more than these festivities of one day.
He adds, tactfully, we must have this feast for his return because it
is a resurrection. You have to understand, son, your brother was
dead, and now he is beginning to live.

25 “Now
his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the
house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he summoned one of the
servants and began
inquiring what these things could be. 27 And he said to him,
‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened
calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But
he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out
and began
pleading with him. 29 But he answered and said to his father,
‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never
neglected a command of yours; and yet
you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with
my friends; 30 but when this son of yours came, who has devoured
your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’
31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and
all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and
rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has
begun to live, and
was
lost and has been found.’”